
Photo by Disney
While many attractions cater to Guests of all ages, the Parks at Disneyland Resort also feature attractions that can have some Guests covering their eyes. Some attractions are obvious (ex. Haunted Mansion and Snow White’s Scary Adventures) while others present a more tame facade; unknowing Guests can quickly find themselves face to face with chortling devils on Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride or with Monstro the Whale on Pinocchio’s Daring Journey.
Here is a list of attractions that feature frightening imagery and effects at Disneyland Park and Disney’s California Adventure Park.
Captain EO
- Ride Type: 3D Film featuring Michael Jackson circa 1986.
- Height Requirement: N/A
- Dark: YES
- Loud: YES
- FastPass: NO
- Rider Switch: NO
- Single Rider Line: NO

Photo Courtesy of Disney Parks Blog
Haunted Mansion
- Ride Type: Slow-moving dark ride through a haunted southern mansion.
- Height Requirement: N/A
- Dark: YES
- Loud: YES
- FastPass: YES
- Rider Switch: NO
- Single Rider Line: NO
- Other comments: While this attraction does blend humor with more frightening elements, smaller children, especially those afraid of the dark, may find this attraction downright terrifying. I know a certain someone (my sister!) didn’t open her eyes until she was 10 years old.
DIStracted Tip: If you get through the stretching room and into the portrait gallery and then decide to bail, there is a “chicken exit” available – just ask the nearest Cast Member!

Photo by Disney
Indiana Jones Adventure
- Ride Type: Motion simulator dark ride.
- Height Requirement: 40”
- Dark: YES
- Loud: YES
- FastPass: YES
- Rider Switch: YES
- Single Rider Line: YES
DIStracted Tip: Obtain a FastPass for this attraction or ride it early in the day. This ride frequently breaks down so be prepared to make multiple attempts to enjoy this attraction.

Indiana Jones Adventure– Photo by Disney
Mr. Toad’s Wild Ride
- Ride Type: Jerky dark ride through the English countryside.
- Height Requirement: N/A
- Dark: YES
- Loud: YES
- FastPass: NO
- Rider Switch: NO
- Single Rider Line: NO
- Other comments: This attraction is a classic and has been taking Guests to “nowhere in particular” since the Park opened in 1955.

Photo by Disney
Pinocchio’s Daring Journey
- Ride Type: Slow-moving dark ride through Pinocchio’s adventures.
- Height Requirement: N/A
- Dark: YES
- Loud: YES
- FastPass: NO
- Rider Switch: NO
- Single Rider Line: NO

Pinocchio with Con Man “Honest John” – © The Disney Company
Snow White’s Scary Adventures
- Ride Type: Slow-moving dark ride following Snow White as she flees the evil Queen.
- Height Requirement: N/A
- Dark: YES
- Loud: YES
- FastPass: NO
- Rider Switch: NO
- Single Rider Line: NO
- Other comments: Out of all the dark rides, this is perhaps the most frightening. The witch makes several unexpected appearances and Guests are quite close to her in some instances. This attraction is a classic and has been scaring the bejeebers out of pint-sized (and not so pint-sized) Guests since the park opened in 1955.

Photo by Disney
Disney’s California Adventure Park
It’s Tough to be a Bug!
- Ride Type: 3D Film and live theater show.
- Height Requirement: N/A
- Dark: YES
- Loud: YES
- FastPass: NO
- Rider Switch: NO
- Single Rider Line: NO
- Other comments: This attraction features both visual and tactile special effects. My nearly three-year-old son sat on my husband’s lap his first time through this attraction, thereby avoiding some of the more frightening effects. Or so I thought! What set him over the edge and into hysterics was the smoke effect towards the end of the show.

It’s Tough to be a Bug-Photo by Disney
Twilight Zone Tower of Terror
- Ride Type: Drop tower
- Height Requirement: 40″
- Dark: YES
- Loud: YES
- FastPass: YES
- Rider Switch: YES
- Single Rider Line: NO

Twilight Zone Tower of Terror–Photo by Disney
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